S. Clark Butler

BUTLER, S. CLARK



Gainesville - S. Clark Butler passed away quietly in his sleep at 6:30 pm on October 10, 2008. Known as one of Florida's pioneering and most successful, private commercial real estate developers, Clark Butler served the Gainesville community and its citizens for over 7 decades. Known for his brilliance, vision, integrity amid hard work, Butler was determined to build a shopping center development that would serve the Gainesville community for generations to come. His legacy and brainchild, Butler Plaza, is a mile-long shopping center and has been one of Gainesville's mainstays and most profitable business centers for over two decades.



Butler's life can be characterized as a true rag to riches story. He moved to Gainesville with his family on the heels of the Great Depression with only 300 dollars to their name. After opening a fresh produce stand with his father and brother in 1939, Butler soon led his family and grew his business into a 15,000 square foot grocery store. His store was one of the few businesses that served all communities in Gainesville, including: East Gainesville, at a very difficult time during segregation. As he rose in prominence as a grocery store owner and businessman, Butler was called upon for public service. In the 1950s, Butler served as City Commissioner and Mayor, and was called on to end corruption in the bidding process in Gainesville. Uncompromising and determined not to compromise his integrity, Butler's vote helped to end bidding corruption and, as a result, his grocery store was burned down. Again, facing poverty, Butler, his father and his brother Bill, started building affordable homes for Gainesville's citizens. His success as a residential developer mirrored his success with his grocery store and with whatever he touched. He soon became one of the areas most innovative residential and commercial developers. With his daughter Deborah at his side, Butler realized the American dream. At the time of his death, he was developing new projects in Gainesville that would bring thousands of new jobs to the community.



Butler has been recognized for decades for his work as a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Indeed, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, his proudest accomplishment was that he was able to encourage young kids to do well in school and to secure a higher education. He was the Founder of the Gainesville Boys Club, Past President and Charter member of the Gainesville Builder's Association, Founding member of the Gainesville State Bank (later Compass Bank) and Chairman of the Board for 20 years, a Rotary member, Past Chairman of the local Board of Directors for Compass Bank, Member of the University of Florida Foundation, Co-Founder of the S. Clark Butler Entrepreneurial Foundation at the University of Florida, Member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Member of the University of Florida Planned Giving, Sponsor of University of Florida Performance That Counts, Sponsor of Junior Achievement, Donor to the Phillips Center for Performing Arts, Member of University of Florida President's Council, Lifetime Honorary Member of the Florida Sheriffs Association, contributor to St. Francis High School as well as many other charitable organizations. He also received countless awards for his outstanding contributions to this community including the Alachua County Black Caucus Un-Sung Hero Award, the Red Triangle award, the Key to the City of Gainesville, University of Florida Entrepreneurship & Innovation Distinguished Achievement Award as well as numerous awards over the years from the YMCA. Clark Butler was preceded in death by his son Clark Butler, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Mary Catherine Butler, his daughters Catherine Ann Butler of Los Angeles, and Deborah Jean Butler of Gainesville, his brother Robert Butler as well as other relatives and friends.



There will be a Celebration of Life memorial tribute honoring Mr. Butler on November 5th by invitation.



In lieu of flowers, it is requested that a donation be made in the name of Clark Butler to any of the following organizations:







UF Foundation



Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation



S. Clark Butler Lectureship, Scholarship/Teaching Endowment in



Entrepreneurship Fund



PO Box 117168



Gainesville, FL 32611







Catholic Charities for the Homeless



1717 NE 9th Street



Gainesville, FL 32609







Santa Fe College Foundation



3000 NW 83rd Street



Robertson Admin Bldg 207



Gainesville, FL 32606-6210







Arrangements are under the care of Williams-Thomas Downtown Funeral Home, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville.



For Further Information:



Williams-Thomas Downtown



352-376-7556